The Urban Palette

In the preface to his new book, internationally acclaimed watercolorist Dong Kingman describes himself as a painter of portraits--”not of human faces, but of faces of cities permeated with interminable human spirits.”

The Oakland-born Kingman, whose “Portraits of Cities” features 100 color reproductions and 50 black and white drawings, will sign copies of his book at a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Stary-Sheets Fine Art Gallery, 1590 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Kingman, 87, is widely collected by national museums, corporations and individuals. A world traveler who has lived in San Francisco, Hong Kong and New York City, the self-taught artist has painted magazine covers, posters, illustrations for children’s books and artwork for motion pictures, including “The World of Suzie Wong,” “Flower Drum Song,” “55 Days at Peking” and “Lost Horizon.”

In the foreword to “Portraits of Cities,” former Time magazine arts editor Alexander Eliot says Kingman is the major American watercolorist of the late 20th century, combining the observation of Winslow Homer, the suavity of John Singer Sargent, the dynamism of John Marin and the lyricism of Charles Burchfield.

“To top it all off,” Eliot writes, “Kingman projects a breezy, gently fantastical wit that’s all his own.”

Stary-Sheets Fine Art Gallery, which specializes in California Regionalism from the 1930s and ‘40s, is exhibiting Kingman’s work.

Also this week:

* Amy Keehn, author of “Love and War Between the Signs,” will speak and sign at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo.

* Magda Gerber and Allison Johnson, authors of “Your Self-Confident Baby,” will sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in the Tustin Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine.

* Walter Wangerin Jr., an author of novels, children’s books, devotionals and practical theology guides, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Concordia University Center for Worship and Performing Arts, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine. Free.

* R.S. Gallagher, author of “Smile Training Isn’t Enough: The Three Secrets of Excellent Customer Service,” will sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

* Tracey McBride, author of “Frugal Luxuries,” will speak and sign at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo.